The application of thermo-active foundation (TAF) systems to heat and cool residential buildings is evaluated in this paper. First, a transient three-dimensional finite difference numerical model is developed for the analysis of thermo-active foundations. The numerical model predictions are then validated against experimental data obtained from laboratory testing. Using the validated numerical model, G-functions for TAFs are generated and integrated into whole-building simulation analysis program, energyplus. A comparative analysis is carried out to evaluate TAF systems compared to conventional ground-source heat pumps (GSHPs) to provide heating and cooling for multifamily residential buildings. In particular, the analysis compares the cost-effectiveness of TAFs and GSHPs to meet heating and cooling needs for a prototypical multifamily building in three U.S. climates. Due to lower initial costs associated to the reduced excavation costs, it is found that TAFs offer a more cost-effectiveness than GSHP systems to heat and cool multifamily residential buildings.
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December 2016
Research-Article
Evaluation of Thermo-Active Foundations for Heating and Cooling Residential Buildings
Byung Chang Kwag,
Byung Chang Kwag
Department of Civil, Environmental, and
Architectural Engineering,
University of Colorado Boulder,
Boulder, CO 80309
e-mail: kwag@colorado.edu
Architectural Engineering,
University of Colorado Boulder,
Boulder, CO 80309
e-mail: kwag@colorado.edu
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Moncef Krarti
Moncef Krarti
Civil, Environmental, and
Architectural Engineering Department,
University of Colorado,
Boulder, CO 80309
e-mail: Krarti@colorado.edu
Architectural Engineering Department,
University of Colorado,
Boulder, CO 80309
e-mail: Krarti@colorado.edu
Search for other works by this author on:
Byung Chang Kwag
Department of Civil, Environmental, and
Architectural Engineering,
University of Colorado Boulder,
Boulder, CO 80309
e-mail: kwag@colorado.edu
Architectural Engineering,
University of Colorado Boulder,
Boulder, CO 80309
e-mail: kwag@colorado.edu
Moncef Krarti
Civil, Environmental, and
Architectural Engineering Department,
University of Colorado,
Boulder, CO 80309
e-mail: Krarti@colorado.edu
Architectural Engineering Department,
University of Colorado,
Boulder, CO 80309
e-mail: Krarti@colorado.edu
1Corresponding author.
Contributed by the Solar Energy Division of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF SOLAR ENERGY ENGINEERING: INCLUDING WIND ENERGY AND BUILDING ENERGY CONSERVATION. Manuscript received September 11, 2015; final manuscript received September 17, 2016; published online October 10, 2016. Assoc. Editor: Jorge E. Gonzalez.
J. Sol. Energy Eng. Dec 2016, 138(6): 061010 (10 pages)
Published Online: October 10, 2016
Article history
Received:
September 11, 2015
Revised:
September 17, 2016
Citation
Kwag, B. C., and Krarti, M. (October 10, 2016). "Evaluation of Thermo-Active Foundations for Heating and Cooling Residential Buildings." ASME. J. Sol. Energy Eng. December 2016; 138(6): 061010. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4034806
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